THANK YOU for being so patient while I get the hang of this blogging, even though you have had to put up with

late meals and

a shortage of clean undies

(cooking and doing LAUNDRY really cuts into my blogging time!)

We were recently in Disney World at the new Italian restaurant in Epcot, and the mother at the next table was taking pictures of the just arrived food, from every angle. I thought the resigned faces of her two hungry kids and exhausted hubby said more than words could, until one of my bunch piped up in a quiet, flat tone (all three admit it was said but DENY being the speaker),

Oh I am canning myself laughing. I did the same with taking photos in a restaurant and my son said to the waiter. Don’t worry about her, she has a blog and is snap happy!! Now to food. Tuscan food is what I adore and your platter speaks to me in so many ways. your table looks gorgeous and I can taste Tuscany and Chianti is a yes please! Congrats on your beautiful blog!

I have made a HUGE mistake reading your blog this morning before I went to work. Now my mascara is running and my blush is smeared. I need to go make repairs! But, oh, Linda! I have laughed so hard! My family is saying the same things! My husband asked this weekend, while I was setting up my Watermelon table: “When did this become MY hobby? The meal has me salivating wishing I had been there. One more reason I have to read this book! When we were in Rome two years ago, we went to a restaurant in which the antipasto was rolled to the table in a cart, and you picked whatever you wanted from its vast selection. It was so fabulous! I think the Italians are really on to something with this antipasto business . . . who knows? It might become a trend . . . LOL!

Linda,Happy Happy Bloggiversary! The world of blog is so much richer because you are in it! I am thrilled you joined OTMM with this delicious and inspirational post. It is as gorgeous as it is delicious! I must try the sorbet. It will be a great way to use up the basil and mint in my garden.I am an antipasta girl, and your platter looks scrumptious with all the yummy offerings!I am so blesssed by you and your beautiful blog! Here’s to another great year!xo Yvonne

This is the most lovely of posts! I am hungry and so excited about the chance to win such a great giveaway.. I love your table. Every morsel of food looks so wonderful. I will have to read the book to get that dessert recipe! Thanks so much.. crossing my fingers. many blessings, marlis

Oooh…Linda! I am still hooting from the child’s comment! And…my own family has learned to sit and wait for pics before we do anything! lol I love your tablescape..so beautiful! And…your food looks so yummy! Count me in on the giveaway….and happy blogaversary! Happy weekend…hugs…DebbiePS…Thanks for entering MY giveaway! We’ll wish each other luck! 🙂

Wow Linda……..this menu post is over the top and it all looks so delicious. I’ve got to try the chicken and the peppers. What a wonderful meal for dining under the stars in ones own back yard. I love all of your beautiful Italian pottery. I have some pretty pieces I purchased throughout my travels in Italy, I need to get out of storage and use…….Thanks for this sharing this feast both beautiful and delicious.

Ok, it’s late at night here and I was thinking of going to bed. But NOW I can only think of your beautiful menu and gorgeous photos! I am now starving! I had never heard of a basil and mint sorbet. It looks so refreshing. I must try it. And that tart looks absolutely heavenly. I know for sure I’m going to try that!!! Everything looks so beautiful. I know I said it on your last post but I’ll say it again…Happy Blogoversary!

Linda, thank you so very much for visiting my blog today and becoming my newest follower (following you back!). I can’t tell you how absolutely gorgeous your meal looks. I want that cookbook! Your pics are beautiful too. Happy Blogiversary. Heres to many more years!

I just took a speed tour back through your blog. I will have to come back again. You have some wonderful table settings, delicious recipes, beautiful house shots, and fun ideas. Thanks!P.S. My husband once lived in Hartford. I love New England (even though I’ve never been there)!

Hi lovely lady.Your Tablescape and food looks great. I love your Beautiful dishes !!! You did a lovely job putting this all together for your dinner party… I need to go back and see your Recipes sooo yummy. Congrats on your blogaverary sweet lady. I hope you come visit me some time.XXOO Diane

Well, I hope “better late than never” applies here as I want to say a belated HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY!!!!!!!! Now, this meal and table look SOOOO good! I am hungry right now so my mouth is watering and my tummy is growling! The antipasto looks wonderful and the chicken too. The dessert sounds VERY interesting! Thanks for sharing this! XO, Pinky

Hi lovely lady.Your Tablescape are Beautiful sweet lady. I also love your yummy recipes looks so good. I do miss your Tablescapes are you OK.I hope!!! soooo. I have you on my sidebar.. No post for a long time..

Well if it had been at Disneyland it could have possibly been me! Too funny. What a beautiful, beautiful table and meal. It looks straight out of a magazine. I would love, love, love to win the elixir! I was salivating just reading about it. There are a lot of really nasty tasting olive oils out there and yours sounds fantastic! Happy blogaversary!

Wow!, how about that!!!!! I just took a ‘trip’ (to your blog) and had a most elegant meal. Without having left my home, I’m feeling pampered. This is what an imagination can do to a person, huh. I loved looking through this posting, and the others on your blog. Happy BLOGaversary, for sure! Thanks for the time you spent making everything so pretty for us to ‘soak up’ and ‘taste’.